November 2009-Starting Chemo

Alicia, yummm

Linda : hope the ps appt went well. We're safe and well although food seems to be disappearing off the supermaket shelves at an alarming rate. I managed to get some really fresh milk today that doesn't expire until the 31st, so at least we have bread and milk. The fruit and veg markets went under in the floods, so we expect there will be a big shortage.

I can't wait for Monday - want to get the rads over with. It seems ages since I went for the planning session.

Melinda - Hope you are still improving daily!!!!

Sue

Sue:  it must be a bit surreal to be doing rads again, but I would be like you and just want to get going on them. I think you said you had the tats done with your first rads.  I'm glad I got them when I had my rads.  The rad onc said that if I ever had to do rads again, the tats would let the techs know where the last rads were directed.   Glad to hear your stayed above the waters,  but such a tragedy for so many.

Linda:  how was the PS appt.?

Melinda:  how are you?  Still taking it easy, I hope, and are getting your strength back more and more each day.

Alicia:  are you all healed now?  You looked so good in your Christmas photos, that if you weren't feeling great, you sure didn't let on!  

Happy Friday from cold Northern VA!  Nette   

Hi Toyah!

Well, my appt came with a mixed bag. I cannot have the bilateral tram/diep surgery I thought I would have. Aparently, my dr is the only one who does it in Greensboro, and the last one he did was over 20 hours! What??? No thanks! He was kinda doggin' the hospital here, saying that they won't give him the help he needs. He's frustrated with BC rates going up...

He did say I could go over and have it done in Wake Forest if I had my heart set on using abs. But he can do this...lat flap with tissue expanders in the cancerous breast and tissue expanders in the non-cancerous breast. It would be a 4-hour surgery and a 3-day stay in the hospital. I'm waiting for my appt. time. So I will have implants. Alicia, I know you had expanders...help!!

Why do I plan when I know things are going to get screwed up! I'm just frustrated, but at least I'll have breasts again! I guess it doesn't matter where the material comes from...the outcome is the same.

Love to all! Stay warm!

Linda: A lat flap on the cancer side and a lift on the droopy side is what my only option seems to be also. I hate the thought of taking good muscle to make a boob....I don't know what I am going to do yet.

I am sorry you can't get the DIEP you wanted. There just doesn't seem to be great options.

No worries Sue, I am getting better, slowly but surely. It is just frustrating but I am chugging along. It is much like the fatigue from treatment, just exhausted feeling.

Be safe Sue, those floods....wow.

Sue, good luck with rads.  At least this time it won't be a big guessing game...you know what goes on.

Yeah, good luck tomorrow with the rads, Sue.  How many sessions?  As Michele said, at least you know what's going to happen this time.  Prayers for no skin problems.  Have the waters receded?

Hang in there, Melinda.

Linda:  Sorry you won't be able to get the type of surgery you wanted.  At least you'll have boobs, right? 

 Have a good week, you guys.  Nette

1 down probably 29 to go. I asked the techs how many and they thought 30 like last time. I'm sure the rad onc said she'd do a few less. I'll ask the fill in dr later in the week.

Very hot here today 89 deg in the kitchen, so I'm hanging out downstairs in a sarong and knickers.

Sue

Got my surgery date...March 9. Two days before Libby's 8th birthday.

Melinda...it will be two implants. The right side, just a straight implant. The left side will be lat flap plus implant. I asked about having implants with rads, and he said as long as I have new tissue brought in, it will not be a problem.

Yes, I have to do expanders. Here I thought I'd wake up with a flat tummy and big boobs. Alas, woe is me...LOL

See? It's the new, improved Sue. Rads were the pits for me. Every day just seemed so repetitious! Good luck with them.

How's the weather...has it dried out any?

Sue, it must be the hair...you didn't have any last time, right.  Can you swim in that pool yet, or is it empty by now.

Linda, I am sure you will look hot hot hot when this is all done..woohoo for new boobs.

Big hugs for all my wonderful lady friends.

Sue, Keep countin' 'em down!!  When I had my last rad, my tech said they rarely recognize their former patients when they come back for their final check-up, but that they always enjoy seeing them with hair!!  

 Melinda:  hope you continue to improve!!!

Had my bone scan yesterday to make sure the Arimidex isn't zapping my bone density.  Have my med. onc check-up on Feb. 8th, so I'll get the results then, unless my PC doc contacts me first.

Happy Thursday everyone!!  Nette   

I had another girl there not recognise me yesterday only 26 to go!!!

Went to the pool shop to get the water tested yesterday and they still don't have salt - so I was SO lucky the other day. They are not expecting to get any until February now. When she tested it, she said - you've got lots of salt in there. Well, they are the ones who said to put 5 bags in - good grief. Anyway, it's all good - just looks a bit green, but that's from the salt apparently.

Going for one of those lunches with my bc friend today to a garden centre where they have water dragons running around on the deck of the restaurant. Should be nice as we can shop after we eat

Sue

2-hour delay??? If we got 6 inches, it would shut the town down! We got an inch and missed 3 days of classes. That's the difference btwn NY and NC. We don't have the resources and manpower! Our side roads are neglected.